SML Good Neighbors Stories

These are the reflections and observations of Russell Baskett, President and Executive Director and Lisa Lietz, Program Director, of the SML Good Neighbors Enrichment Programs. Good Neighbors provides summer enrichment programs for young children from families with limited resources in our community. To learn more about the Good Neighbors programs check our web site: www.smlgoodneighbors.org

Saturday, August 5, 2017

Teaching Moments – unplanned opportunities to teach values

Russell C. Baskett, Co-Founder and Executive Director

SML Good Neighbors, Inc.

“I’m not comfortable with this. You don’t belong here.
We’ve got Donald Trump; we’re building a wall; you need to leave.”

These—or similar words—came
from one of our 6th graders at our 2017 Summer Enrichment Program.
She was confronting an SML Good Neighbors teacher who looks different from most
people in this area. She is Asian; an international student from China; an
outstanding teacher carefully recruited by the Good Neighbors staff. When I heard this story from other teachers and
volunteers I was disappointed and angry. This is the antithesis of the values
we teach and model. I wanted the student disciplined—the family contacted. We
needed to take action! How could we tolerate one of our teachers being
humiliated by a student? Then I listened to the rest of the story; the response
of the teacher to the student. It went something like this…

“I don’t see
any Native Americans here today. If you’re not a Native American, you are not
from here either. Your ancestors came from somewhere else. Almost everyone in
this country came from somewhere else.”

Of course the student didn’t much like this
response but did get the point. This was a “teaching
moment” and the teacher got it just right.

The yard sign above expresses the culture and
environment of SML Good Neighbors. “No
matter where you are from, we’re glad you’re our neighbor.” The week after
this incident our daily enrichment theme focused on “Cultural Diversity and
Global Education.”It is our goal to
help students appreciate the differences in people; people from other cultures,
people who have different languages and practice different religions, people
who look different from us and like different things than we do. They are not
strangers and not people to fear. They are simply part of the human family to
be embraced, valued and loved. That’s the message we try to convey by our
words, actions and deeds. The incident with the student who disrespected our
teacher was a teaching moment—a time when we could practice what we preach. Our
teacher was a master teacher that day.

The
symbols of today enable the reality of tomorrow. Notice the swastikas and the
other signs of hate. Do not look away, and do not get used to them. Remove them
yourself and set an example for others to do so.

Saturday, February 4, 2017

Why
do I do this—the Good Neighbors program work? This is the simple question
Tabitha, our social media and marketing assistant, asked. It’s a great question
and I need to consider it deeply. Why do I do what I do with SML Good
Neighbors? What sustains me in this work? Maybe the rambling thoughts that
follow will give you—and me—some insights. It may take patience to read through
these thoughts!

This
past week was filled with national events that made me anxious—it was the first
week of Donald Trump’s presidency. As I listened to friends and over-heard the
conversations of others, I understood this was not unique to me. It is easy to
get in to a circuitous, downward spiral and lose site of what is most important
and right in front of me.

I
keep the small book, “The Three Questions”, based on a story by Leo Tolstoy,
where I can always find it. The story ends with this paragraph:

“Remember then that there is only one important time,
and that time is now. The most important one is always the one you are with.
And the most important thing is to do good for the one who is standing at your
side. For these, my dear boy, are the answers to what is most important in this
world. This is why we are here.”

This
past week was also filled with activities that brought light in to my life and
lifted me up. As I reflect of what this means, I realize that this light comes
from human relationships; it is contained in the invisible bonds that connect
me with those around me.

It
was a full week—interviewing applicants for summer teaching positions; meetings
with Lisa; the weekly meeting with our spiritual formation group; lunch with
Sara Jamison and George Seals to talk about endowment planning; the Good
Neighbors board of directors meeting; meeting with Larry from Appalachian Power
to talk about grants; Lib Walker’s memorial service; Jim and I meeting with Bob
Craghead about purchasing land for the new Good Neighbors building; talking
with a supporter about getting donated supplies to replace those lost in the
fire; talking with friends at Art Vision Gallery during their benefit for Good
Neighbors; attending “Dancing for a Cause” with about 500 others at Franklin
County High School to benefit nine area nonprofit agencies; two afternoons with
seven Good NeighborsScholars in the Middle School After-School Academy; and attending Meeting for
Worship at the Roanoke Quaker Meeting.

Quakers
frequently speak of—Seeing that of God in
Everyone.” As I sat in silent worship this morning, I was reminded that
this message keeps me grounded, even in the midst of events I cannot control.

So,
what does this have to do with Tabitha’s question? I think I have the answer.
This past Thursday at the after-school program, we had a “dust-up” at the end
of the day with our middle school scholars. This is a nice way of saying there
were behavior problems related to anger and nonviolent conflict resolution. I
left the school feeling frustrated asking myself—do we make any difference in
the lives of these students? Why am I doing this? During Quaker Meeting for
Worship this morning I believe the answer to these questions, and Tabitha’s
question, was given to me—“Even when I can’t stand them, I keep coming back to
be with our Good Neighbors children because I love them.”

Saturday, May 14, 2016

I was sitting looking out on the lake late on Friday
afternoon. All was quiet, the water calm and beautiful. I was enjoying a glass
of Chardonnay and feeling at peace. The phone rang—it was someone calling the
SML Good Neighbors office. Since it was after hours, a recording told the
caller to press one (1) for the executive director—that’s me.

At first,
it was difficult to understand the man on the other end of the line. He was
having trouble getting his thoughts and questions put in to words. Finally, he
said, “here’s why I’m calling.”

“ My wife
and I recently took our two grandchildren out of foster care. They are having a
hard time and we just needed to do this. It’s hard. We’re both on disability
and don’t have much.” I could tell this was hard for him to share. “We
registered both grandchildren for the Good Neighbors summer program. But I am
confused about whether or not they will both get to come. I think one letter
says that our granddaughter is registered. But another letter says that our
grandson is on the waiting list. They both need Good Neighbors so much this
summer. Our grandson will just be devastated if he can’t go. I don’t know what
to do. Can you help me?”

As the Good
Neighbors programs grew we added a fulltime program director and half-time
administrative assistant. So, I am much more removed from regular contact with
children, their families and their stories. I miss that contact even though
their stories sometimes break my heart—this is one of those times.

As we
talked, I learned from Rodney that their grandson is ten and their
granddaughter is seven. We talked about the Bedford County elementary school
they attend. I could hear the worry, desperation and concern in Rodney’s voice.
I assured him that I would talk with our program director about the
registrations but it would be Monday before someone was in contact with him. I
got all the important information; the names of the grandchildren and his full
name and phone number. And then I said, “Rodney, what you and your wife are
doing for your grandchildren is wonderful; I know it has to be so hard.” At
this point, in a tearful voice he said, “it is hard. God bless you for helping.”
We said goodbye.

Now, almost 24 hours later, I find
myself still holding these grandparents and their grandchildren in my
thoughts—in my heart. Each time I remember our conversation I realize that I
too am tearful. This is why we do this work and I pray that we will never
become hard-hearted.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Can you believe it? —SML Good Neighbors has its own home. We
have a real office, meeting spaces, storage, and living quarters for up to 13
summer teachers. We’re not keeping our files in our garages and basements. And—it
is paid for! I am simply amazed.

And can you believe that it was only
10 years ago this spring that Sally called us together to share our concerns
about young children—especially during the summer months—in the region close to
Smith Mountain Lake. In our wildest dreams, none of us could have imagined the
breadth and depth of the SML Good Neighbors programs that would emerge over the
next ten years. Even the name—SML Good
Neighbors—had not been invented.

A few weeks after the four of us
started meeting, Lois, Sarah and Wendie joined us. Our group of seven was soon
joined by five others who felt as passionate as we did about the children in
our community. We became the “vision team”, the team that spread the word in
our community. We started talking with church leaders, school administrators
and community leaders. I think we talked (maybe preached) to everyone and every
group that would listen. One thing became clear; large numbers of young
children in our community needed out-of-school support and experiences that
could not be provided by the schools or other existing community resources—there
was a big gap.

And so, the Vision Team started
brainstorming about enrichment programs that could be provided at no cost to
families living on limited resources. Little did we know how much time, how
many people, and how much knowledge would be required to make the dream a
reality. I know you remember those exciting times—you were in the middle of it,
including the frustrations and disappointments. Fortunately, the energy and
faith of the group kept us moving forward. There was the rejection of our
proposal to Project Transformation, but we didn’t stay down long. With Charles’
leadership we were soon incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia and received
our 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. Sally found Lana Miller at Eastern Mennonite
University and she helped us write a detailed curriculum. There was the
extensive discernment process to decide the summer model we would use—four
weeks, six weeks or eight weeks. What could have been contentious and divisive
became an early example of community building. I think those challenges set the
tone for how we still work. Even the process of picking our organization’s name
and logo—and there were many ideas to choose from—was a community building
effort, albeit a little raucous at times!

After the hundreds of hours spent planning,
the time finally came to take our planning notebooks and make the plan a
living, breathing reality. In 2007 we provided a small summer lunch and weekend
backpack program in a few schools. But our real objective was to launch a
four-week summer enrichment program, and we did that in 2008 in both Bedford
and Franklin Counties. We worked so hard. There was intern recruitment,
recruiting volunteers, getting everyone background checked through the county
school systems, arranging for intern housing, arranging for meals at the summer
camps, arranging transportation, buying supplies, arranging for program sites
with the schools—the list goes on and on. Looking back I am surprised it
actually happened. If we had known in advance all of the steps and challenges,
we might have passed up this opportunity!

So, in 2008 we enrolled 65 rising 1st
– 4th graders from two schools in Franklin County and three in
Bedford County. We had six college interns and probably about 100 volunteers.
In early June we opened the doors at Burnt Chimney Elementary School and we
have never looked back; it has been an amazing journey. Our lives have been
enriched and enlarged by our Good Neighbors children and families.

Now here we are in 2016 moving
quickly and expectantly toward the opening of summer programs—our ninth summer.
I get a little light headed when I think through everything that has happened
since our first conversations in 2006. There is so much to remember and share.

It would be easy to list output and
outcomes assessment data. The kind of things you do in annual reports and grant
applications. I’ll do a little of that. But, the things most vivid in my
memories, and written on my heart, are personal experiences with, and stories
about, the kids. So, I’ll mix the two— stories mixed with some typical data and
news. Truth is found in both; both describe who we (Good Neighbors) are and
what we’ve become.

____________________________________________________________________

This year we will work with students
from 10 elementary schools and two middle schools. We will have rising 1st
– 6th graders. We expect 160 – 170 to participate this summer and at
least 120 in after-school programs. We already have a waiting list for the
summer program.

*****************

We
were on a field trip at Ferrum College. While walking on the campus, Rick, one
of the older kids, put his arm around my shoulders, looked me in the eyes, and
said, “we’re pretty good buddies Mr. Russ.” This was, and is, special. Rick has
Asperger’s and it’s challenges. I replied, “we are good buddies Rick, and I
like that.”

******************

This summer we launch a new
initiative—the Middle School Academy.
This is a year-round program for rising 6th, 7th, 8th
and 9th graders. The objective is to help prepare students for
success in middle and high school. Students and their families commit to the
four-week summer program and an after-school program two days per week during
the school year. We expect about 20 students this year.

*******************

I
was wandering around the cafeteria—I think it was at Moneta Elementary—during
the morning breakfast and game time. At the end of one of the tables was Judy,
a long time servant leader with Good Neighbors, brushing the hair of one of the
girls. This particular girl was a behavioral challenge and uncooperative many
times. We weren’t sure she could stay in the program. Judy’s special
attention—the act of safe, loving contact—was calming and transformed the
negative behavior of this young lady in to positive behavior, at least for that
moment.

********************

This summer we will have 11 summer-teaching
staff from many different colleges as far away as Earlham College in Indiana.
We used to call this group college interns. The title, teaching staff, reflects the professional work we require of them.
Remember, we started with six in 2008.

*********************

I
was walking down the hall at Dudley Elementary when Zack, one of our summer
teachers, stopped me and said, “we need to talk.” We did talk, and he shared
with me the writing of a boy who had been sexually abused and traumatized to
the point of requiring hospitalization. Zack was devastated. We did talk and
also talked with the student together. Nothing was required of us. All legal
steps were in order. But our innocence—Zack’s and mine—was ended.

*********************

We currently have after-school
programs in four Franklin County elementary schools and two Bedford County
schools plus one middle school. These programs reach 120 – 130 students. Most
of the after-school programs are in partnership with the Roanoke Children’s
Theatre. RCT has worked with us since 2009.

********************

I
think we were at Dudley Elementary for the Franklin County summer program. It
was 2011. Elizabeth tracked me down. “We have a problem, Donté has taken off.
He ran up the hill in to the woods.” Sure enough, there he was, visible but in
the trees. I walked up the hill, asked what was going on and, as expected, got
silence. But, he didn’t run! There is a well-house built in to the hillside so
it is easy to step up on to the roof. I did that and invited Donté to join me.
I sat down and waited. He eventually joined me on the roof and sat down. We
didn’t talk; we just listened to each other in the silence. When it was time,
we walked down the hill; Donté rejoined his group and I resumed whatever I had
been doing. It was a good day.

*******************

In a typical summer, as many as 90%
of the children we serve participate in the free or reduced-cost meal program
during the school year.

*******************

It
was 2010. We took our students to the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke. They
had a great tour, attended a play at the Roanoke Children’s Theatre, and walked
to a small park for a boxed lunch. Several parents, or grandparents, and
volunteers joined us. Two of the students were brothers being raised by their
grandmother. She was their legal parent. We loved having the brothers in the
program. But, one of them had serious anger-management issues, especially with
his brother. It could become violent at times so we were always vigilant. Many
times one of us sat between the two of them to prevent problems. Their grandmother
joined us on this field trip. She had difficulty walking so we arranged
transportation for her to the small park for lunch. During lunch the brother
with anger issues took care of his grandmother. He made sure she was
comfortable, took the lunch to her and tended to her needs. It was a side of
him we had not seen. I observed his “true self” that day—a kind, loving, and
gentle soul.

*******************

Approximately 90% of our summer
participants either maintain or improve their reading levels during their four
weeks with us. Principals tell us this is outstanding. Students who have no
educational stimulation over the summer experience the “summer slide”, losing as
much as two months from their reading and math levels. Low-income students are
the most vulnerable.

*******************

It was either 2009 or 2010. It was the end of
the week and we gave the kids their weekend backpacks. This week we were also
offering leftover food supplies to families. We had more than we could use. One
of our interns, with tears in her eyes, shared a story with us. Two sisters
told her, with big smiles on their faces, that their mom was really going to be
happy—they had no food left in the house; now they would be ok.

*******************

In
2015, 69% of the households we served had annual incomes of $35,000 or less;
54% had incomes of $25,000 or less.

*******************

“Russ, this is Barbara, principal at Moneta
Elementary School. I have to share a great story with you.” This was the
beginning of a phone call about a Good Neighbors student. Here is the short
version. This young girl was terrible. Lots of anger, difficult to control,
spent more time with Shearer than in her group. She was also a holy terror at
school. On this day, she was sent to the principal for angry behavior in her
class. After a cool-down, Barbara asked—“how could you have handled this
better?” The girl’s reply: “Well, I could jump off the anger escalator or count
to 10, or walk away…” Barbara asked, “Where did you learn that?” Her reply, “at
camp; the Good Neighbors Camp.” The principal shared this with the girl’s
teacher and suggested she remind the student of these things when she was
having a bad time. It worked, her behaviors changed and she has been a model
student with Good Neighbors ever since. This was several years ago. She will be
one of the “scholars” in our new Middle School Academy program that begins this
summer.

********************

We
now have approximately 200 volunteers every summer. They work as reading
buddies, teacher assistants, camp facilitators—doing the setup, cleanup,
mopping, etc., and movers of camp supplies from storage to the schools. This
doesn’t include the board and the hundreds of hours they spend planning and
working.

*********************

It was at the closing celebration of one of
the camps. We were in the cafeteria having ice cream. Of course this included
Connie’s special, homemade fudge sauce. The cafeteria was full of kids,
families, teachers and volunteers. It was festive. Elizabeth, one of our summer
teachers, came to my table. “Russ, you have to come hear this mom. It’s
amazing.” As ordered, I did join her table. It affirmed what all of us know and
believe in our hearts—we are “sowing seeds of success in our children.” This mother was almost beside herself with
praise and amazement. Her daughter had many serious issues. She didn’t get
along with other children, was a problem at school, was a problem at home,
hated to read, hated school, and on and on and on! But, she couldn’t stop
talking about what had happened this summer. Her daughter had totally changed.
Mom couldn’t believe she was the same child. She was being nice at home, was
having fun with other kids, was reading and excited about going back to school.
It was not possible to measure the extent of her gratitude for SML Good
Neighbors. Results like these don’t lend themselves to quantitative
measurements.

*******************

In
2013 we established a fulltime, paid position—Program Director—and have now
added a half-time position of Administrative Assistant. Our program director,
Lisa Lietz, has done—and continues to do—a remarkable job. We all understand
that the size and scope of our current programs would be impossible without her
initiative, leadership and amazing work ethic.

********************

We
are currently in the process of establishing an Endowment Fund. Over time, this
fund will provide significant investment income to sustain the Good Neighbors
programs.

********************

I could go on and on with data, news
and stories. But I will stop here. However, before I end, I want to remind the
four of us that from the very beginning one of our major goals was to provide a
“vocational exploration experience for college students.” This idea was written
in to our mission statement. I have been blessed beyond measure by having the
opportunity to work closely with nearly 50 of these students since 2008. It has
been a capstone experience for me. We have recruited carefully and almost
always been happy with the result. These young women and men have been
outstanding teachers and role models for our Good Neighbors children. They have
become colleagues and friends. Many are now pursuing careers, starting families
and “giving back.” A few examples:

3rd grade teacher at Bedford
Elementary; 3rd grade teacher in Henrico County; high school math teacher in Portland, Oregon; social
media director for NPR in Richmond, Virginia; Peace Corps workers—two have done
this; teacher with Teach for America; teacher with Quaker Volunteer Service;
speech pathologist with Montgomery County Schools; graduate studies in
education at Hollins University; student in nursing program at U. Va.; just
accepted elementary school position in Louden County, Virginia; entering
graduate studies in non-profit leadership this fall; works with Food for the
City in Washington, D.C.; following completion of a Masters in Public Health from
George Mason University, Michelle works as an epidemiologist with the Armed
Services Health Surveillance Center and has become a significant financial
contributor to SML Good Neighbors.

I know I didn’t include all of our
teaching alumni, but you get the idea—we remain true to the mission statement
written almost 10 years ago.

It’s hard to know when to stop
writing. There are many, many stories and hundreds of interesting details I
would love to share with you. But I will stop writing now knowing that each new
year will bring more stories by dozens of people touched by the work of SML
Good Neighbors. I am truly grateful to be part of the group that gave birth to
this program. And, it has been wonderful to be on this journey with you.